Festival Divine Service for Reformation Day Sunday, October 25, 2020 Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge, Colorado will for Germany (and the Church now being reformed with the Gospel) to be overtaken. Reformation Day is set apart for us to thank God for raising up those who faithfully proclaim God’s Word in the face of adversity to protect the Church from threats of all kinds—political or doctrinal, external or internal. Today we especially give thanks for Dr. Martin Luther and the Confessors of the evangelical church who sought to restore the clarity of the Gospel to Christian worship and witness. IN THE YEAR 1 5 4 1 T H E G E R M A N S T A T E S were in grave danger. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his Ottoman army seem invincible as they brutally conquered their way westward. They had taken Hungary; they were now threatening Vienna. The Muslims were advancing on the west. Would Germany be next? If so, how would the German peoples survive? And in matters of eternal consequence: would church in Europe, already divided by the Reformation, be destroyed by Muslim armies? History tells us the Ottomans were stopped at The Order of Service this morning is based on Vienna. Germany was spared. Though we may Luther’s Deutsche Messe (German Mass), which not understand why God allowed Suleimans’s is found in the Lutheran Service Book, Divine “scorched earth” campaign to wreak as much Service, Setting V, pg. 213. devastation as it did, clearly it was not God’s 2 This helps us remember—or rediscover—that we are blessed to be the stewards of a rich The hymn concludes with words that addressed history and heritage that reaches back to October the threats of nearly five centuries ago, yet are 31, 1517 when Luther posted his 95 Theses on as poignant for the world we face today: the door of the castle church at Wittenberg. This Reformation influenced not only the course of Christianity, but the politics, education, art and music of the Renaissance and the Western world. O COMFORTER Today is something like a special family holiday of PRICELESS WORTH when the fine china and silver is taken out for a festive celebration. This morning’s liturgy is served by some of the best words and music of SEND PEACE the German Lutheran tradition. and We recognize that the true importance of our UNITY Lutheran heritage is its inseparable connection to that Gospel proclaimed by faithful Christians on EARTH; at all times and places: the forgiveness, life, and SUPPORT US in salvation offered as God’s free gifts to all humankind through faith in Jesus Christ. This OUR FINAL STRIFE same Jesus who served His disciples as recorded and in the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John serves us today in Word and Sacrament so LEAD US OUT of DEATH that we may serve others. This Good News is what Martin Luther and the Reformers to LIFE. safeguarded from a corrupt papacy, and from those who taught that God’s grace is found in human decisions or will, rather than in the Lord’s gifts of Word and Sacrament—and from an approaching Ottoman army. When the Ottoman conquest of Vienna seemed imminent, the Elector asked the evangelical (Lutheran) pastors to offer prayers for Germany’s safety. In response, Martin Luther crafted a Service that included the hymn, “Lord, LSB: Hymn 655, Text: Martin Luther Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”. Ps. 119:5-10; 2 John 9; John 8:31; Eph. 4:3-6 3 The sign of the holy cross is a promise given to every Christian at Baptism: Receive the sign of the T holy cross both upon your forehead and upon your heart, to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified” (Rite of Holy Baptism, LSB, p. 268). We belong to the Lord. “The 46th Psalm is a psalm of thanks, sung by the people of Israel because of the mighty deeds of God. He had protected and saved the city of Jerusalem, in which was His dwelling, against all the rage and the fury of all the kings and the nations and preserved their peace against all warfare and weapons. And, in the manner of the Scriptures, the Psalm calls the character of the city a little stream that shall not run dry, as opposed to the great rivers, seas, and oceans of the heathen – their great kingdoms, principalities, and domains – that they shall dry up and disappear.” Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther, pg. 114, CPH 1993. Festival of Reformation Sunday, October 25, 2020 Prelude – T At this symbol (or according to your custom) you may make the sign of the cross as a remembrance of your Baptism in our Lord. [Stand and face the Processional Cross: Chanted Responsively] Psalm Psalm 46 P 1God is our ref- | uge and strength,* a very present help in | trouble. C 2Therefore we will not fear though the | earth gives way,* though the mountains be moved into the heart | of the sea, P 3 though its waters | roar and foam,* though the mountains tremble at its | swelling. C 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- | y of God,* the holy habitation of the | Most High. P 5God is in the midst of her; she shall | not be moved;* God will help her when | morning dawns. C 6The nations rage, the kingdoms | totter;* He utters His voice, the | earth melts. P 7The LORD of hosts is | with us;* the God of Jacob is our | fortress. C 8Come, behold the works | of the LORD,* how He has brought desolations | on the earth. P 9He makes wars cease to the end | of the earth;* He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with | fire. C 10“Be still, and know that | I am God.* I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted | in the earth!” P 11The LORD of hosts is | with us; the God of Jacob is our | fortress. 4 [Processional] A Mighty Fortress Is Our God LSB 656 vv. 1-3 5 The first three stanzas of “A Mighty Fortress” are sung to the rhythmic version of the melody (Luther’s Original). The service concludes with the isorhythmic version found in LSB 657, which is more of a Chorale (with “smooth” note values). This is the version more common in Lutheran churches of the Scandinavian origin and other denominations and is harmonized by the setting of Johann Sebastian Bach. THE INVOCATION: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the Triune Name given in Baptism. The pastor now faces the baptized and pronounces the Name to which they all belong. The Lord’s people hear the Invocation, and now gathered to that holy Name, the baptized look forward to the Lord’s gifts. [Matt. 28:19] Invocation P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. THE KYRIE: In confident faith, the Lord’s people break out in Kyrie: Lord have mercy (Kyrie is the Greek word for “Lord”). It is a prayer, an intercession to our Lord that He be with us and help us in all our afflictions and troubles. [Matt. 15:22; Luke 17:13] Kyrie 6 GLORIA IN EXCELSIS: In the gifts of the Lord’s service, the gifts of Heaven are being brought down to Earth. God who is “on high” is extolled for bringing peace (the forgiveness of sins) down to Earth for all sinners. It is a Trinitarian hymn extolling the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. [Luke 2:14; John 1:29] Gloria in Excelsis All Glory Be to God on High LSB 947 7 THE READINGS: The church hears the Lord’s Word. Scripture is read, for these are the words given by the Holy Spirit, the words by which Jesus is proclaimed and the Gospel of God is made known. In the Reformation, the Pope was called upon to depart the wisdom of man and return to the wisdom of God, which the Lord has revealed in Holy Scripture alone. [Luke 24:27; John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:16] Salutation and Collect of the Day P Let us pray. Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 8 [Sit] First Reading Revelation 14:6–7 6Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Gradual [Psalm 48:1a, 12-14a] L Great is the LORD and greatly | to be praised* in the city | of our God! C Walk about Zion, go around her, number her | towers,* consider well her ramparts, go through her | citadels, L that you may tell the next gener- | ation* that this is God, our God forever and | ever.